The President Has Proposed Amending the Constitution to Define Marriage as a Union Between a Man and a Woman. Divided?

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? I think it's wrong. It's a free country. If you're comfortable being with somebody, you should be. I don't know why Bush is doing it now. I also think the vice president's daughter, who's openly gay, should be more public about this issue.

Name Ari Averbach, 20
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? I was watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show when the news of Bush's proposal on marriage interrupted it. I found that ironic. I don't agree with it because we're talking about two consenting adults. John Kerry says states' rights are being violatedhe should be saying that human rights are being violated.

Name John Sorensen, 45
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Writer

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? Bush has the right to propose anything he wants to. I would agree with a lot of congressional Republicans who say the issue should make its way through the courts. I take this a little personally, as I've been dealing with a failed constitutional amend-ment for years, and have learned what a torturous process it is. I agree with the aspect of conservatism that doesn't like to toy with things.

Name Rudy Singh, 27
Resides Brooklyn
Occupation Jewelry manufacturer

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? As much as I don't agree with what he's proposing, I think the issue should be debated publicly. I think representatives from the gay and lesbian community should debate the Bush administration. Everyone presents their side and there's a moderator. I don't know anything about civil unionsthese past couple of days I've been working very hard.

Name Paul Dobie, 42
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Director

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? It's ridiculous. I don't think Bush actually cares, but he has to do it to satisfy the conservatives. What are married people so concerned about? The "sanctity of marriage"? It's being portrayed as a black-and-white issue. This week I heard someone ask, "Now can I marry a duck?" Maybe we should be able to marry ducks.

Name Jordan Woods-Robinson, 19
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? Equally interesting was Arnold Schwarzenegger saying, "Gay marriage should be between a man and a woman." I think anyone who's a homophobe isn't comfortable with their sexuality. Bush doesn't understand most words in the English dictionary, let alone society's impulses.

Name Alicia Harding, 20
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student

What do you think of Bush's proposed marriage amendment? I think it's wrong, and it's based on a fear of loss of power. It's a ballsy thing to do in an election year, to make such a strong statement on such a controversial issue. Gay unions are a way to placate gay voters and to keep them quiet, but I also think every little step is a step in the right direction and once they're put in place, they can't be taken back.